Family of a student shot dead protest delayed case hearing

Kins of a university student shot dead by police in 2013 during protests in Maralal have accused the Nakuru Law Courts of deliberately delaying the case.

Former Maralal Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Francis Manyasi, was linked with the murder of Laikipia University third year student, Tom Rono Lokishorumongi, during demonstrations by residents and local leaders.

The family laments that the case has been adjourned nine times since mid 2015, something they say is costly to them in terms of transport and other logistics.

Rono’s relatives have called on the Director of Public Prosecutions to intervene and help transfer the case to another court saying they have no faith in the Nakuru Law Courts.

The deceased was part of a group that stormed the police station to demand release of 25 heads of cattle confiscated on allegation that they had been stolen at Malkis area near Baragoi.

The first hearing of the case was rescheduled after Justice Maureen Odero withdrew from hearing the case citing personal reasons on October 15th, 2015.

Justice Anthony Ndung’u, who took over the case from Justice Odero, has since taken evidence from one witness, Lasip Letiwa who was studying with the deceased at Laikipia University, Maralal Campus.

The accused was, however, arraigned in court after the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted recommendations from the  Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) which had found Manyasi culpable of murder.

Manyasi was released on a Ksh 500,000 bond and the case postponed to October 3^rd and 4^{th this year.}

Report by Simon Ngure